Thread: Sparrow hawk hunters comp

Was an eye opener, I managed to get half, missed a couple easy ones and also hit some I probably shouldn’t have.

This wasn’t crazy long range either, One target out around 700m the vast majority under 400m and maybe 4 under 300m

Would give a lot of people a reality check on long range ethical shooting, highly recommend giving it a go next year

Having shot steel targets at Sparrowhawk during the Open Range Days many times we were well aware of how the wind as going to be the biggest problem to deal with on the day.

There were other factors that made the Hunter Challenge an actual challenge. Having to set up your shooting position within touching distance of the peg often meant dealing with awkward terrain. Using a combination of hunting pack and bipod most spots you could find an acceptable setup. Just like hunting you had to be very aware there might be grass or matagouri some distance from the muzzle that you needed to avoid as sometimes the sight line was okay but the projectile path was marginal.

Spotting shots that missed was exceptionally difficult on a lot of targets as they were surrounded by long grass or scrub. Sometimes there was dead ground before the backstops well. Only the first round counted for competition points but we were allowed to fire a second round if we wished 'so we can feel better about ourselves '!

One decision I made was to use holdoffs for wind with my simple Duplex reticle after working out a best guess on wind speed and direction and getting the offset from Strelok. During the inevitable trip home post-mortem I decided I would have been better dialling the scope for the wind and then aiming at whatever I thought was the centre of the steel gong covering the 'vitals' on the animal shaped and coloured targets. The rest of the animal was rubber matting that gave little idea if where the impact was. Many times our squad members hit the animal but not the gong but were unable to say where. Spotting through hand held binos (or even tested on a pack when we could) was difficult as the wind was so strong. The constant movement made detail much harder to see.

One thing the squad agreed on was that in those conditions we wouldn't be attempting most of the shots we were presented with if they were real animals. Getting closer (much closer in some instances) was the only option to make a good shot that we would be happy with from ethical point of view. But in this instance there were no consequences other than using up ammunition and shattering egos so it was good to see just how hard it could be. Looking forward to the 2025 Hunter Challenge!

Originally Posted by PerazziSC3

Was an eye opener, I managed to get half, missed a couple easy ones and also hit some I probably shouldn’t have.

This wasn’t crazy long range either, One target out around 700m the vast majority under 400m and maybe 4 under 300m

Would give a lot of people a reality check on long range ethical shooting, highly recommend giving it a go next year

What he said!
Yes, longrange steel with a bit of wind certainly will certainly hand you humble pie on most people's ability to take an ethical shot.
Practice almost makes perfect!+


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I've done two previous Hunter Challenges, they can bring you down to earth pretty quickly if you think you are a real gun....excuse the pun. It's a great day out.

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I've wanted to shoot an event like this for many years (since reading about the Steel Safari in the US in about 2009!!) Even considered setting up my own at one stage - but have never got there til this year.

Good fun, I wasn't overly surprised by the results considering the conditions and past experience. I did about as well as I'd expect, middle of the pack, shooting the .223 with 80s. Some obvious things I can improve on next time. It was certainly an exercise in taking 20 shots you'd never actually take in those conditions.

Originally Posted by PerazziSC3

Was an eye opener, I managed to get half, missed a couple easy ones and also hit some I probably shouldn’t have.

This wasn’t crazy long range either, One target out around 700m the vast majority under 400m and maybe 4 under 300m

Would give a lot of people a reality check on long range ethical shooting, highly recommend giving it a go next year

Remind me next year and come down with you

Originally Posted by gimp

I've wanted to shoot an event like this for many years (since reading about the Steel Safari in the US in about 2009!!) Even considered setting up my own at one stage - but have never got there til this year.

Good fun, I wasn't overly surprised by the results considering the conditions and past experience. I did about as well as I'd expect, middle of the pack, shooting the .223 with 80s. Some obvious things I can improve on next time. It was certainly an exercise in taking 20 shots you'd never actually take in those conditions.

Sounds like a cool event.
GPRE/TLRS have started to do some NRL hunter type events in the NI, but nothing like those steel safari/mammoth type event.

Would there be any interest in having a Forum Hunter Challenge? Sparrowhawk is available, they have the targets and the facilities.

Originally Posted by Husky1600#2

Would there be any interest in having a Forum Hunter Challenge? Sparrowhawk is available, they have the targets and the facilities.

I would think so, I would go

Originally Posted by Husky1600#2

Would there be any interest in having a Forum Hunter Challenge? Sparrowhawk is available, they have the targets and the facilities.

The forum can sponsor the match in one way or another. Happy to support organising it. Message me if you're keen to do it.

Originally Posted by gimp

The forum can sponsor the match in one way or another. Happy to support organising it. Message me if you're keen to do it.

Oh shit yeah

Great idea!

Definitely keen for another go around - hopefully with slightly less raging wind than last weekend!

Originally Posted by gimp

The forum can sponsor the match in one way or another. Happy to support organising it. Message me if you're keen to do it.

PM sent. @Beetroot